Archaeological site yields new finds in An Giang province (May 20, 2003)

The Ministry of Culture and Information has recognised two archaeological sites: Nam Linh Son Tu (Nam Linh Mountain Pagoda) and Go Cay Thi (Thi Tree Hill) in Vong The commune of Thoai Son district in southern An Giang province as historical relics of national level, bringing the province's such relics to 26.

Both of the relics belong to the Oc Eo culture and had been excavated since the period of French colonialism in the early 20th century until 1999. These structures feature royal architectures and have been identified by the Ho Chi Minh City-based Institute for Social Sciences as dating back to the first and second centuries AD.

The Go Cay Thi, made of brick, represents as the most important relics on the present-day Oc Eo field. The tower, built on a huge block of stone, is 22 metres wide and 24.54 metres long, facing the east and containing multiple compartments covering 488.88 square metre

The Nam Linh Son Tu reflects the outstanding techniques in building with stone and bricks of the Oc Eo era. Artefacts found inside the structure included many coins, pottery plates, metal moulds, animal bones, a myriad of pottery pieces with decorative patterns and some golden and coloured strings of beads.

Since excavation was complete in 1999, these relics have been under strict protection.

In its plan to develop tourism towards 2005, the provincial People's Committee assigns Thoai Son district authorities to work out a plan to protect and tap all Oc Eo historical relics covering a total 70 hectares of the district. In the near future, there will be auto roads to these sites for visitors. (VNA)